3 killed when speeding car hits power pole
Three people, including a 10-year-old pedestrian, were killed when a speeding vehicle slammed into a utility pole, authorities said Tuesday.
The accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. Monday on a long, straight strip of South Alameda Street at 85th Street.
The driver, possibly racing another vehicle, lost control of his red 1990 Mustang, veered across lanes of oncoming traffic and skidded sideways into a wooden power pole, said Pete Kim, a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol.
The force of the crash split the pole into three pieces. The driver and his passenger were thrown from the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Giovanni Espinoza, 10, of South Gate was walking on the sidewalk with his family when he struck by debris from the Mustang. He died of his injuries a short time later. His mother, Maria Espinoza, 38, was taken to County-USC Hospital with fractures to both femurs and a head injury and was listed in critical condition, Kim said.
Her husband, and an infant he was pushing in a stroller, were not hurt.
Police have not released the identities of those in the car.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
